Color (7.37)
We tested the color reproduction of the Nikon Coolpix 3200 by using a GretagMacbeth color chart and Imatest Imaging Software to analyze the image and determine the accuracy of the reproduced color tones. The chart below is a modified version of the GretagMacbeth chart. The outer square is the color produced by the camera, the inner square is Imatest’s corrected version of the color, and the small vertical rectangle is the tonal ideal.

A graphical representation of the color reproduction of the Nikon Coolpix 3200 is shown below. The circles represent the colors reproduced by the camera and the squares represent the ideal colors on the chart. The greater the distance between the circle and the square, the greater the camera’s color error.

The Nikon Coolpix 3200 had a mean saturation score of 114.2 percent, which is more saturated than the average compact digital camera. The 7.37 overall color score is good for a point-and-shoot camera. The warmer colors tended to stray more than their cool counterparts. For example, the greatest errors appear in the reds and oranges, while the greens are quite accurate. As green becomes blue, the colors begin to slip into error again. Overall, this is still decent for a point-and-shoot digital camera.

Still Life Scene
Below is a shot of our distinct still life, captured with the Nikon Coolpix 3200.

Click on the above image to view a full resolution version (CAUTION: The linked image is very large!)

Resolution / Sharpness (1.71)
The Nikon Coolpix 3200 is marketed as a 3.34-megapixel and 3.24 effective megapixel digital camera. However, it's expected that when we test the camera for resolution, there will be some variance from the manufacturer’s suggested megapixel count. When we tested the Coolpix 3200 in Imatest, we found that the camera actually records about 1.71 megapixels per image. After repeated testing and many exposures, we used the highest count and compared it to the advertised 3.24 effective megapixels. Cameras that record 70-79% of the advertised pixels are considered “good,” while cameras that record 80-89% are “very good” and any cameras that record above 90% are “excellent.” The Nikon Coolpix 3200 recorded 54% of the 3.24 megapixels, which puts this camera near the bottom in terms of picture quality and actual pixel count. Our tests repeatedly confirm the low end of the Coolpix line seems to have problems with its pixel count.

Noise Auto ISO (4.24)
The Nikon Coolpix 3200 turned in an average performance for a point-and-shoot camera in terms of noise production. With 3.2 megapixels, this camera was made to be portable instead of shoot museum-quality pictures. The 4.24 noise score is not great, with only a few compact cameras that have performed worse.

Noise Manual ISO (0.0)
The Nikon Coolpix 3200 does not offer manual ISO control. This is unfortunate seeing how poorly the automatic ISO settings handled noise levels.

Speed / Timing
Startup to First shot (7.01)
It does take this camera a few seconds to wake up and take its first shot, but this is average for a consumer point-and-shoot digital camera. Some cameras in this price range take 4 seconds, so the 2.99 seconds required of the 3200 isn’t all that bad.

Shot to shot (7.23)
In the single shot mode, this camera shoots every 2.08 seconds. When engaged in the continuous shooting mode, it can shoot every 0.77 seconds. This camera has a 16-frame burst mode, but the 16 images combine into one saved image full of tiny thumbnails. So while it does shoot very fast, it seems quite useless.

Shutter to shot (6.38)
The Nikon Coolpix 3200 took 1.31 seconds to take the picture from the time the shutter release button was pressed.